Dionysios (Psiahas) of Proussa

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Metropolitan Dionysios (secular name Panayotis Psiahas or Psiachas, Greek: Παναγιώτης Ψιάχας; 1916-2008), QSO, was a hierarch of the Ecumenical Patriarchate serving the Church for most of his life in East Asia. In 1970 he was consecrated as the first Metropolitan of New Zealand, a position he held for 33 years.

Biography

Dionysios was born in Halkidona in 1916. Following initial studies in Halkidona, he was educated at the Great Patriarchal Clergy School in Fanar. In 1934 he entered the Theological School of Halki, graduating in 1941. As soon as he graduated he was ordained deacon and served the Tataouli Community of Constantinople. In October 1945 he was ordained presbyter, and was elevated the following month to the office of archimandrite, serving as vicar and Chief Education Officer of Halki's Holy Theological School.

In October 1947 he was transferred to London, where he served as vicar of the Cathedral of Holy Wisdom. For twelve years he was the secretary of the Ecclesiastical Court of the Archdiocese of Thyateira.

In 1959 he was elected by the Holy Synod of the Ecumenical Patriarchate as Bishop of Nazianzos and designated as assistant to the Archbishop of Australia. In 1970 the Ecumenical Patriarchate determined to restructure Asia and Oceania by creating a new Metropolis for all parishes in the region outside Australia. Bishop Dionysios was elected on January 8, 1970, as the first Metropolitan of New Zealand, with his see at Wellington. In this role, the Metropolitan was responsible for the growth of the church in rapidly growing mission areas such as the Philippines, Indonesia, and Korea.

In 2003, Metropolitan Dionysios retired from active service, and was elected to the titular see of Pisidia.

Metropolitan Dionysios has been honored many times for his national and religious services. In 1995, he was named in the New Zealand Honours List, being awarded the Queens Service Order (Q.S.O.) on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the creation of the Metropolis of New Zealand.

Metropolitan Dionysios died on January 6, 2008.

Succession box: Dionysios (Psiahas) of Proussa
Preceded by: Ezekiel (Tsoukalas)	Bishop of Nazianzos 1959-1970	Succeeded by: Paul (DeBallester)
Preceded by: new creation	Metropolitan of New Zealand 1970-2003	Succeeded by: Joseph (Harkiolakis)
Preceded by: unknown	Metropolitan of Proussa 2003-2008	Succeeded by: —

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External links

• Listing at the Orthodox Research Institute
• "Greek Church farewells a tireless leader," The Dominion Post. January 10, 2008.
• Photos from the funeral of Metropolitan Dionysios, The Dominion Post, January 11, 2008.